SCFAs and Exercise - IJSM - Accepted.pdf (1.1 MB)
The athlete and gut microbiome: short-chain fatty acids as potential ergogenic aids for exercise and training
journal contribution
posted on 2021-08-17, 11:40 authored by Tindaro Bongiovanni, Marilyn Ong Li Yin, Liam HeaneyLiam HeaneyShort-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolites produced in the gut via microbial fermentation of dietary fibers referred to as microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs). Acetate, propionate, and butyrate, have been observed to regulate host dietary nutrient metabolism, energy balance, and local and systemic immune functions. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown links between the presence of bacteria-derived SCFAs and host health through the blunting of inflammatory processes, as well as purported protection from the development of illness associated with respiratory infections. This bank of evidence suggests that SCFAs could be beneficial to enhance the athlete’s immunity, as well as act to improve exercise recovery via anti-inflammatory activity and to provide additional energy substrates for exercise performance. However, the mechanistic basis and applied evidence for these relationships in humans have yet to be fully established. In this narrative review, we explore the existing knowledge of SCFAs synthesis and the functional importance of the gut microbiome composition to induce SCFAs production. Further, changes in gut microbiota associated with exercise and various dietary MACs are described. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research and practical applications, including how these metabolites could be manipulated through dietary fiber intake to optimize immunity and energy metabolism.
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Published in
International Journal of Sports MedicineVolume
42Issue
13Pages
1143-1158Publisher
Georg Thieme VerlagVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© ThiemePublisher statement
This paper was accepted for publication in the journal International Journal of Sports Medicine and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1524-2095.Acceptance date
2021-05-26Publication date
2021-07-13Copyright date
2021ISSN
0172-4622eISSN
1439-3964Publisher version
Language
- en